One of the problems I have with limited-duration self-defence courses is that they often manage to convey just enough information to participants to give them a false sense of security. Of course, many of the people who run these courses are genuinely trying to perform a civic duty and so it is not my aim to undermine their teaching in this article. There is definitely a need for effective self-defence training in our society. If nothing else, a self-defence course sheds light on the need for self-protection and by virtue of this, shows up the grave short-comings of our current systems of government for ensuring the safety of their citizens. ​